Method and apparatus for obtaining location zone data for a mobile subscriber unit

Abstract

A wireless telecommunications system ( 100 ) includes a service control point ( 108 ) that implements a geographical interface that permits applications to request and receive geographical zone data for a mobile unit ( 101 ). The request ( 300 ) for geographical zone data identifies the mobile unit ( 302 ) and the type of zone requested ( 304 ). A zone manager ( 204 ) receives the request and communicates the request to a location manager ( 202 ). The location manager ( 202 ) is coupled to a position determination equipment ( 110 ) to determine a location of the mobile unit. The location manager returns the location of the mobile unit to the zone manager. The zone manager uses the location of the mobile unit, the zone type requested and a database of predefined zones to determine a zone for the current location of the mobile unit. The zone of the mobile unit is returned to applications via a response ( 400 ).

1 . A method for obtaining geographical zone data for a mobile subscriber unit, the method comprising the steps of: 
 A) receiving a request from an application for geographical zone data for the mobile subscriber unit, wherein the request includes: 
 a mobile subscriber identifier that is associated with the mobile subscriber unit; and  
 a zone type that identifies a type of predetermined geographical area; and  
   B) returning a reply to the request, wherein the reply includes: a zone identifier that identifies a current geographical area where the mobile subscriber unit is located and the current geographical area has the zone type included in the request.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request further includes: 
 a switching center identifier that identifies the mobile switching center serving the mobile subscriber unit.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the request is a transaction control application protocol message and the reply is a transaction control application protocol message.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the request is received over one of a Internet protocol network and a signaling system seven network and the reply is returned over one of a Internet protocol network and a signaling system seven network.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the request is received via a message defined by one of an ANSI41 and a GSM standard.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile subscriber unit comprises one of a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, and computer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile subscriber unit is at least one of a voice communications device and a data communications device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the zone type identifies one of a personal zone and a shared zone.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the zone type comprises a request to create a zone.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reply includes a text string associated with the zone identifier.  
     
     
         11 . A telecommunications network apparatus comprising: 
 means for receiving a request for geographical zone data for a mobile subscriber unit, wherein the request includes: 
 a mobile subscriber identifier that is associated with the mobile subscriber unit; and  
 a zone type that identifies a type of predetermined geographical area;  
   means for returning a reply to the request, wherein the reply includes: a zone identifier that identifies a current geographical area where the mobile subscriber unit is located and the current geographical area has the zone type included in the request.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the request further includes: 
 a switching center identifier that identifies the mobile switching center serving the mobile subscriber unit.  
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the request is a transaction control application protocol message and the reply is a transaction control application protocol message.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the request is received over one of a Internet protocol network and a signaling system seven network and the reply is returned over one of a Internet protocol network and a signaling system seven network.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the request is received via a message defined by one of an ANSI41 and a GSM standard.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the zone type identifies one of a personal zone and a shared zone.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the zone type comprises a request to create a zone.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the reply includes a text string associated with the zone identifier.  
     
     
         19 . A telecommunications network apparatus comprising: 
 a geographical layer interface that receives a request for geographical zone data for a mobile subscriber unit, wherein the request includes: 
 a mobile subscriber identifier that is associated with the mobile subscriber unit; and  
 a zone type that identifies a type of predetermined geographical area; and  
   wherein the geographical layer interface returns a reply to the request, wherein the reply includes: a zone identifier that identifies a current geographical area where the mobile subscriber unit is located and the current geographical area has the zone type included in the request.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a zone manager coupled to the geographical layer interface to receive the request;  
 a location manager coupled to the zone manager to deliver a location of the mobile subscriber unit as determined by a position determination equipment; and  
 wherein the zone manager uses the location of the mobile subscriber unit and a database of zone data to determine the zone identifier.